The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), says it would work with the newly executive committee of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) on the health of livestock and safety of animal products.
Dr Vincent Isegbe, Director-General, NAQS, stated this at the ongoing Annual Summit and Investiture of Dr Olutoyin Adetuberu, the 20th National President of the association, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The theme of the summit is: “Curbing the menace of Quackery in the Veterinary profession in Nigeria.’’
Isegbe, said NAQS, was saddled with the responsibility of working on creating of disease-free areas in the country.
He added that the service would strengthen collaboration with the association to move the profession to an enviable height.
According to him, the work of the profession is so diverse including animal health, food safety, feeds, among others, adding that though they were very few if they contributed their quota, they could move the country forward.
Isegbe congratulated Adetuberu on her investiture as the 20th national president and third female president of the NVMA, describing her as “a perfect fit for the position due to her wealth of experience from decades of eventful devotion to the profession.
“NAQS is confident that, with your vision and passion, we can advance our shared interest in raising healthier animals and building the basis for a thriving trade in the animal value chains”.
Aishatu Abubakar-Baju, President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), identified professionals as the major problem in the veterinary profession and not outsiders.
Represented by Dr Bala Muhammed, Vice President of the council, she decried that most of the veterinarians were not up to date in their registration underscoring the fact that they occupied “a very important position in the profession.”
“It is an appeal that we can do ourselves very well if only we operate within the ambit of the law, which is one of the ways the profession can thrive in the country.
“The council set a standards and one of the standards is to actually know who is to practice that is exactly what we are doing.
“VCN is not only registering the premises and practice but also the individuals carrying out service will be identified by way of giving them Identity card among others,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highpoint of the event was the conferment of the investiture on the NVMA president by the immediate past President, Dr Ibrahim Shehu.
Also, there was the presentation of award to the NAQS D-G, Isegbe as well as the Keynote speaker, Dr Samuel Adeyemi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Soptimal Ventures Ltd, for their contribution to the veterinary profession.(NAN)
Source: Dateline Nigeria